title: The 12-lead ECG in the emergency medical service setting: how electrode placement and paramedic gender are experienced by women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore women's attitudes to precordial electrode placement and 12-lead ECG acquisition in the emergency medical service setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty participants were recruited from university campuses. Demographic data were collected and two ECGs were recorded: one with precordial electrodes positioned on the breast and one with the electrodes under the breast. Participants' attitudes to electrode placement and ECG acquisition were explored in a second questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six participants (52%) preferred to have the electrodes placed on their breast, 19 (38%) were indifferent between the two placements and 5 (10%) preferred siting under the breast. 94% of the participants stated they would consent to a prehospital ECG irrespective of the gender of the paramedic crew, and all reported they would have the investigation if it facilitated definitive treatment, even if the paramedic was male.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of participants preferred electrode placement on the breast and would consent to ECG acquisition irrespective of the gender of the operator. It is possible that paramedics are more concerned with the acceptability of acquiring an ECG than women are themselves.
authors.affiliation: St John Ambulance, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wallen
authors.affiliation: Paramedicine and Emergency Management, School of Health Care Practice, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tunnage
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wells
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ECG; cardiac care, acute coronary syndrome; clinical assessment; ethics; paramedics